A large number of expressions combine a body part with a word that has an emotional meaning in itself, as in Wubuy (Nunggubuyu, Arnhem Land) wurrij-barrngayu-, where wurrij means ‘chest’, -barrngayu- can mean ‘be sorry’, and the whole compound means ‘feel pity for, feel sorry for’. Literally, the compound could be translated as ‘sorry in the chest’, or something along these lines. In other words, the chest is represented figuratively – and more precisely, metonymically – as the specific part of the person that is feeling sorry. The same principle can apply to all sorts of body parts, to express all sorts of emotions.

 There are also cases where a body part is represented as experiencing a physical response to an emotion, frequently crying (especially with the heart): in Wik Mungkan (Cape York), ngangk-peeyan ‘heart cry’ refers to ‘feelings of longing or sadness’. Another response commonly invoked in such expressions is shaking, like in Dalabon (Arnhem Land), where kangu-marrka ‘belly shiver’ means ‘nervous, scared’.

Expressions where body parts are presented as experiencing emotions are in fact the most widespread overall, representing close to one in four or even one in three expressions with most body parts. They tend to be a little bit less frequent with the ear and the nose.

References

Hore, Michael. Nunggubuyu dictionary. Canberra: Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, AILEC 0247, 1994.

Kilham, Christine, Mabel Pamulkan, Jennifer Pootchemunka, and Topsy Wolmby. Wik Mungkan-English interactive dictionary. AuSIL Interactive Dictionary Series A-6, Australian Society for Indigenous Languages, 2017. Retrieved from http://ausil.org/Dictionary/Wik-Mungkan/lexicon/mainintro.html.

Ponsonnet, Maïa. Difference and repetition in language shift to a creole. The expression of emotions. New York: Routledge, 2019.